Attend a White House policy briefing. Visit an embassy. Discuss foreign policy with Secretary Madeline Albright, or intern at the Democratic or Republican National Convention.
University students have been having an impact in our nation’s capital for over 12 years through The Washington Center, a unique integration of academics and real-world experience that over 350 students have taken a part in.
A partnership with the University that was established by Professor Erika Pilver and is now supervised by Dr. Maureen McCartney, associate dean of academic achievement, the Center consists of a 15-week program in the fall and spring or a 10-week summer program.
Students participate in a Leadership Forum, which provides the opportunity to listen and engage with Cabinet members, ambassadors, journalists and members of Congress.
Initially a large number of scholarships were available in the state that enabled qualified students to participate, regardless of their financial resources. Recently, funding has been reduced by over 50 percent, launching aggressive fundraising efforts by the Westfield State Foundation, Inc.
The combination of challenging curriculum, leadership training and internships has led to dynamic career paths for our students. Nicole Noble ’08 says, “I would not be where I am today if not for my internship coordinated through Westfield State and The Washington Center. This partnership provided me with an opportunity that I never imagined and opened a world of possibilities. I am a full-time federal employee with INTERPOL Washington.
“My job has taken me throughout the world on challenging assignments,” Noble adds. “I now have a job that many only dream of – thanks to this life-changing opportunity.”
If you would like to sponsor a student through scholarship support, please contact Kandyce Aust, at kaust@westfield.ma.edu or (413) 485-7360.
